Penetrating oil compositions

ABSTRACT

A penetrating oil composition comprising (a) lubricating oil, (b) gasoline, (c) a monohydric alcohol, and (d) polyglycols, glycerols, their ethers or mixtures thereof.

United States Patent 1 El'sdon Nov. 4, 1975 1 PENETRATING OILCOMPOSITIONS [76] Inventor: Austin A. Elsdon, Rte. 2, Box 41,

Calvert City, Ky. 42029 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 462,765

[52] US. Cl. 252/11; 44/53; 44/58; 252/52 R; 252/52 A [51] Int. CL. C1OMl/20; C1OM 3/14;

C1OM 5/12; C1OM 7/6 [58] Field of Search 252/11, 52 R, 52 A; 44/58,

OTHER PUBLICATIONS ASTM Symposium on Synthetic Lubricants Atlantic City,NJ. 6/16 20 (1947) pp.. 31 1.

Bennett The Chemical Formulary V01. IX (1951) pp. 284 and 285.

Primary ExaminerDe1bert E. Gantz Assistant Examiner-4. Vaughn Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Lowe, King, Price & Markva [57] ABSTRACT A penetratingoil composition comprising (a) lubricating oil, (b) gasoline, (c) amonohydric alcohol, and (d) polyglycols, glycerols, their ethers ormixtures thereof.

5 Claims, No Drawings PENETRATING OIL COMPOSITIONS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION faces which have rusted, frozen or otherwise become boundtogether are well known. In the usual situation, a layer or film of rustbetween the surfaces .is so tenacious that it often binds the adjacentmetal surfaces so tightly that it is difficult if not impossible toloosen the surfaces by the use of mechanical'loosening devices such aswrenches. Frozen bolts are especially a common problem. Other problemareas include door hinges which develop tightness due in part to theformation of rust between the moving parts of the hinge.

A number of oil compositions are offered commercially which have beenused for the purpose of lubricating such difficult-to-loosen surfacesand such compositions are generally known as penetrating oils. Theseoils are generally characterized by having a high degree of penetration,which means that the surface tension and viscosity of the oil issomewhat lower than that of an ordinary lubricant used on rotatingparts. Also, a penetrating oil is one which has the ability to form alubricating film between closely contacted metal parts, a feature whichis to be distinguished from the ability of lubricating oils to adhere tometal once the film is formed. The latter property is commonly calledoiliness". Ordinarily lubricating oils do not possess a desiredpenetration to any decided degree and to improve thischaracteristicvarious materials have been added to lubricating oils inorder to effect a desired penetrating action. 1

In the various penetrating oil compositionsknown to the art, use hasbeen made of a variety'of materials which are stated as having thedesired penetrating action. Thus, carbon tetrachloride in combinationwith acetic acid is disclosed for this purpose'in U.S. Pat. No.2,429,735 whereas U.S. Pat. No. 1,822,886 suggests the use of Eocene,trichlorethylene and acetone. U.S. Pat. No. 2,053,046 suggests the useof aliphatic nitriles to effectpenetrating action; U.S. Pat. No.2,041,076 suggests the use of organic fatty acids and their halogenatedesters to effect penetrating action; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,608suggests the use of up to 25% cyclohexanone to effect penetratingaction. However, none of these prior patents suggest the novelcomponents and total composition of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly one object of this inventionto provide a penetrating oil composition which overcomes or otherwisemitigates the problems of the prior art in this area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a penetrating oilcomposition which is characterized by its excellent penetrating actionwhile still providing the 2 necessary lubricating characteristics toachieve all the advantages required by a penetrating oil composition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a penetrating oilcomposition characterized in that a major portion of the penetrating oilcomposition comprises a polyalkylene glycol or ether derivative thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds.

In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages there isprovided by this invention a penetrating oil composition comprising: (a)a lubricating oil, (b) gasoline, (c) a monohydric alcohol, and (d) apolyalkylene glycol, glycerol, ether derivatives thereof or mixtures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Component Parts by VolumeLubricating Oil 1.5 to 2.5 Polyglycol or Ether or Mixture 1.5 to 2.5Gasoline 0.5 to 1.5 Monohydric Alcohol 0.5 to 1.5

A highly preferred composition for use as a penetrating oil comprises 2parts by volume lubricating oil, 2 parts by volume polyglycol, etherthereof or mixture, 1 part gasoline, and 1 part monohydric alcohol.

The lubricating oil component of the composition may be described as anylubricating oil which provides the necessary lubrication normally usedin penetrating oils. The preferred lubricants can be described asranging in viscosity from 10 SAE to 30 or 40 SAE as oils of thisviscosity have been found most satisfactory. Ordinary motor oils havingthe indicated SAE ratings are very satisfactory.

A second major component of the composition comprises about l.5 to 2.5parts by volume of the class of compounds which may be generallydescribed as polyglycols, or more accurately as polyalkylene glycols orglycerols, their ether derivatives or mixtures thereof.

These polyglycols or polyglyclerol materials are well known in the artand the polyglycols may be described as reaction products of alkyleneglycols and glycerols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.,with successive molecules of an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, etc., which provide the high molecular weightpolyalkylene glycols. The reaction of monoalkyl ethers of alkyleneglycols or glycerols with alkylene oxides provides the correspondingmonoalkyl ethers. As indicated all of these materials and their methodsof preparation are well known in the art.

An alternative polyglycol component which may be used arepolyoxyalkylene ethers of glycerol which are prepared by condensation ofamixture of alkylene oxides with glycerol. The resultant product is acomplex mixture of glyceryl ethers having polyoxyalkylene 3 chains ofdifferent lengths. These compositions may be mixed with glycol orglycerol and if desired a solvent such as an alcohol. Products of thistype are also known to the art.

As is well known, these polyglycols, polyglycerols and glycol ethershave varying molecular weights and viscosities which usually depend onthe length of the polymer chain and the number of moles of alkyleneoxide reacted. For purposes of this invention, the polyglycols,polyglycerols and ethers which may be used are those which have Sayboltviscosities on the order of about 60 to 600 seconds at 100F. A highlypreferred component of this group is a mixture comprising about 66.5weight percent polyethylene glycols and about 33.5 weight percent ethylpolyglycol ethers. This component, alone, or in'concert with the alcoholand gasoline, is believed to provide the excellent penetratingcharacteristics of the composition of this invention.

A further important component of the penetrating oil composition may bedescribed generally as gasoline of the type used in automobiles,preferably regular grade gasoline. Gasoline may be defined as a complexmixture of hydrocarbons boiling between about and 2009C. having anoctane rating in the range of about 85 to 95 and may be used with orwithout additives such as tetraethyl lead. Regular grade gasoline,because of its cost and availability, is preferable.

The final main component of the composition is a monohydric alcohol ofthe formula ROH in which R is preferably an alkyl group of l to about 7carbon atoms. Ethyl alcohol, usually referred to as denatured alcohol isespecially a preferred component although methyl alcohol and otheralcohols of this series may also be usedfl-lowever, because of the readyavailability and compatibility of denatured alcohol, it represents apreferred component.

As indicated above, the penetrating oil composition of this inventionhas been found to be excellent in penetrating into interstices ofmetallic surfaces and working to lubricate and loosen the surfaces sothat bolts and the like can be loosened from frozen positions.

EXAMPLE 'A penetrating oil composition was prepared by mixing thefollowing components in the amounts indicated.

Regular Gasoline -continued Component Parts by Volume Denatured EthylAlcohol 1.0

After the components were mixed thoroughly, a portion of the resultingcomposition was applied to a series of frozen and rusted bolts in theusual manner. After a 15 minute period, each of the bolts could beloosened manually with a wrench.

The novel composition of the present invention provides unique action asa penetrating oil composition in providing the necessary penetratingeffect in loosening automobile and house locks, padlocks, pipe fittingsand the like. After the penetrating action has been effected however,the composition will also act to keep locks and fittings lubricated overa substantial period of time, i.e., for several months. Thus, thecombination oflubricating and penetrating components in the compositionprovide a cooperating or synergistic effect which would not be realizedif the components were used individually.

The invention has been described herein with reference to certainpreferred. embodiments. However, as obvious variations thereon willappear to those skilled in the art the invention is not to be consideredas limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

I. As a new penetrating oil composition of matter, a mixture consistingessentially of, (a) about 1.5 to 2.5 parts by volume of a minerallubricating oil, (b) about 1.5 to 2.5 parts be volume of a polyalkyleneglycol or ether component selected from the group consisting ofpolyalkylene glycol,'polyalkylene glycerol, monoether derivatives ofsaid glycols or glycerols, and mixtures thereof, thealkyl groups thereincontaining 1 to about 7 carbon atoms, said polyalkylene glycol or ethercomponent having a Saybolt viscosity at l00F. of about -600 seconds; (c)about 0.5 to 1.5 parts by volume of gasoline and, (d) about 0.5 to 1.5parts by volume of a monohydric alcohol of the formula ROH, wherein R isl to 7 carbon atoms.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the gasoline component isa mixture of hydrocarbons having a boiling point of about 0 to 200C.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein the monohydric alcohol isethyl alcohol.

4. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises 2 parts by volumeof mineral lubricating oil, 2 parts by volume of polyalkylene glycols orethers, 1 part by volume of regular grade gasoline and 1 part byvolumeof denatured ethyl alcohol.

5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the polyalkylene glycolcomponent contains about 66.5 weight percent polyethylene glycols and33.5 weight percent polyethylene glycol ethers.

1. AS A NEW PENETRATING OIL COMPOSITION OF MATTER, A MIXTURE CONSISTINGESSENTIALLY OF, (A) ABOUT 1,5 TO 2,5 PARTS BY VOLUME OF A MINERALLUBRICATING OIL, (B) ABOUT 1,5 TO 2,5 PARTS BE VOLUME OF A POLYALKYLENEGLYCOL OR ETHER COMPONENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OFPOLYALKYLENE GLYCOL, POLYALKYLENE GLYCEROL, MONOETHER DERIVATIVES OFSAID GLYCOLS OR GLYCEROLS, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, THE ALKYL GROUPSTHEREIN CONTAINING 1 TO ABOUT 7 CARBON ATOMS, SAID POLYALKYLENE GLYCOLOR ETHER COMPONENT HAVING A SAYBOLT VISCOSITY AT 100$F. OF ABOUT 60-600SECONDS, (C) ABOUT 0.5 TO 1.5 PARTS BY VOLUME OF GASOLINE AND, (D) ABOUT0.5 TO 1.5 PARTS BY VOLUME OF A MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL OF THE FORMULA ROH,WHEREIN R IS 1 TO 7 CARBON ATOMS.
 2. A composition according to claim 1wherein the gasoline component is a mixture of hydrocarbons having aboiling point of about 0 to 200*C.
 3. A composition according to claim 2wherein the monohydric alcohol is ethyl alcohol.
 4. A compositionaccording to claim 1 which comprises 2 parts by volume of minerallubricating oil, 2 parts by volume of polyalkylene glycols or ethers, 1part by volume of regular grade gasoline and 1 part by volume ofdenatured ethyl alcohol.
 5. A composition according to claim 4 whereinthe polyalkylene glycol component contains about 66.5 weight percentpolyethylene glycols and 33.5 weight percent polyethylene glycol ethers.